Automatic switch device



V Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,928

R. M.; Realm-50N AUTOMATIC SWITCH DEVICE Filed Fb. 21, 1923 By/W @EMA TTQRNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1925.

Unir Eu siretes P ATENT F FFC-5E.

non-ERT ROBINSON; orA LoUIsvILLE, KENTUCKY, AssIeNon fro cnnefrnaivr ELEC! 'racswrrcnmennvicntcowrivo., or LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, yAv conroan'riou 0F KENTUCKY.

y AUToMATIo'sWITcH DEVICE.

YAppimaaon ined February 21, 1923.5 seriaino. 620,415?.

To @ZZA whom t may concern:

Be it known that-I, ROBERT M. RoBINson, a citizen of the United States, and-ares.

dentV of the city of Louisville, :county of Jefferson, and State of Kentucky,Y have invented anew and useful Improvementin Automatic Switch Devices, of which the following.- is va specification.

The object of my.invention,.is to provide an automatic track switchLof this type which' l will be simple, efcient, reliable and durable and-which will always work .with power on the carmotor sothat'whenever a motorman wishes to shift theswitch, point; hewill leave power on whenlthe trolley: wheel of his car is underaline contacter or trolley pan and coast under this trolleypanwith his power drawings, similar i reference characters des@v i gnate similar parts.l

My improved switching devicel connects a trolley wire 2 with a switch-.pointerail so as to operate as aboveset forthff The trolley wiref2 carriesa trolley pan/21-y with two bars 5 and '6 which bars'areiadapted to receive a'troll-ey -wheel and-support the same from the wire 2. To accomplish this'v purpose the wire may be bent away from the bars or the wire may/be`- straight and the bars may be bent, or both. 'Infany.event,

one bar, .say the bar 5, is connected to the magnet 7 of Va relay 8 by ya wire 9 and asecond `wire 10 connects this magnet 7 Ywith the trolley wire 2. This magnet 7 three terminals 11, -12 and 13; The wire 10 may be connected'to the terminal 12 and the'wire 9 to the terminal 11. The terminal 18fis connected by a lead wire to a point inthe ma gnet winding' about three-fifths down so vthat if the wire -9 be vconnected to the terminal-13 of ,the magnet 7 with a given flow of current, this `magnet will Ahave three-iifths Vof y say v30 ohms.

the strength ithas when 4the wire 9 is 'con-V nected asV shown'. 1f the wire 9' remains connected, as shown,.and the wire 10 be'connected tothe terminal 13,l the magnet I7 when energized by the same current will have twofifths-of the strength which it has whenA connected as indicated.' From'this it ,isapparent that -the strength ofthe Vmagnet Y 7 will depend upon' how it is connected.l rEhis is importantbecause instead of loadingA the corefarmaturel of the relay 8; as Ihasheretofore beendone, l change Vthe strength ofthe' magnet 7 .and therebyl operate with a core armature 14 of minimum weight andminimuin inertia so 'that ther core-armature 14 will respond' quickly vand'fwithin-a mini' mum time so `as to be sure tofunctioin While definite figures have been givenas `to the proportions of strength ofthe magT net 7 in each winding, itis to be understood that I have given kthe Ypreferredproportions, although these may be 4varied without departing. in any.` way from the-scope ofthis invention. The core-armaturef1ftof therelay 8 isyconnected to the barby means -jofa wireV 15.

n Fromthe foregoing, it is'apparent-i-thatf- Vwhen a trolleywheel 16 is on thebars 5f^and 6, as shown in Figure 1 andoff--the'trolley wire 2;poweriseither drawn or not ldrawn into the, car from and through fthe trolley-1- wheel 1 6.vr Agcircuit `is' established"through the magnet 7 of the relay 8 to the car so that if power be appliedto the -motors,"the;magnet 7 is sufficiently energized tof-'raise the armature 14 and if power be not applied,- the armature 14 will not. be raised. If the armature be'not raised,;it remains atrest'fon thevdead terminal 17. 1f it be raised to the position shown indotted lines to the upper terminal 18, it is theniconnected by-'a lwire 19 to two resistances,fone 2O of acompara- 'tively high resistance,say l70() ohms,vand another 21 of a comparatively low resistance,

The resistance 20 is connected to a wire 212 which has one end runningl to a 'contact 23vof a switchy 24 and theother end running .to a contact 25 ofva-switch l26. The

resistance 21 is connected to awire 27 which runs to a Ycontact 28 of theswitch 26 and also to a contact 29 ofthe switch `2a. These switches 211- and 26 each have solenoids 30 and 31 respectively,v with cores 32 and 33 which are partially magnetic, it not entirely so, and are made so as to be raised when the solenoids are energized and heavy enough to fall by gravity to the lower limits ot their movement when not energized. The core 32 carries two conducting rings 34 and 35 which are insulated therefrom and the core 33 carries the insulated conducting rings 36 and 37 These rings are so spaced and arranged that when these cores are raised, the rings will register with the corresponding terminals of the switching device, as will appear below. l/Vhen the parts are in the position shown, the ring 35 is in contact with the terminal 23 and connects the same to a terminal 38 which has a wire 39 that runs to a terminal of the solenoid 31 and the other terminal of this solenoid 31 is connected to a wire 40 which is connected to a terminal 41 of the switch 26 and also to a terminal 42 of a synchronizing switch 43. The ring 37 is in contact with the terminal 25 of the switch 26 and also with a terminal 44 which has a wire 45 that runs to a terminal of the solenoid 30 and the other terminal of this solenoid 30 is connected to a wire 46 that has one connection with a terminal 47 of the switch 24 and another connection with a terminal 48 of the synchronizing switch 43.

The synchronizing switch 43 is actuated by a mechanism which will be described below and has a case 47 which contains a plunger 50 which passes through a water tight stuffing box in the water tight case 49 and has a ring 51 placed thereon which may engage either the contact 42 or the contact 48 and connect either of these with a corresponding contact 52 which is grounded by a wire 53. The structure is such that either the contact 42 or the contact 48 may be grounded, but not both at once.

T the solenoid 30 of the switch 24 be energized, the core 32 is raised and then the rings 34 and 35 are opposite the contacts 29 and 47, respectively. Vhen the solenoid 31 of the switch 26 is energized and the core 33 raised, the ring 36 is opposite the contact 28 and engages the same and the ring 37 is opposite the contact 41 and engages the same. Assuming that the rings 34 and 35 are raised, as above described, while the position of the rings 37 and 36 remains unchanged, as only one switch will act at one time, for reasons which will appear below, that is when the switch 24 is energized, the switch 26 is not energized and when the switch 26 is energized, the switch 24 is not energized. If the switch 24 be energized so that the rings 34 and 35 are raised, a circuit is established through the rino` 35 from the contact 47 to a contact 54 which has a wire 55 which runs to a resistance 56 which is grounded. At this time the ring 34 is in contact with the terminal 29 and connects the same to a contact 57 which is connected to a wire 58 that runs to one coil 59 of the switch magnet solenoid 60 and this magnet 59 has a second terminal which is connected to a wire 61 that is grounded. Assuming that the rings 35 and 34 remain, as shown, and that the switch 24 is not energized and that the switch 26 is energized, the rings 36 and 37 are raised until opposite the terminals 28 and 41, respectively. The ring 37 then connects the terminal 41 with a terminal 62 that is connected to the wire 55 and resistance 56 whichhas its other end grounded, as'shown. The terminal 28 is connected by the ring 36 with a terminal 63 which has a wire 64 that runs to one coil 65 of the ground solenoid 60 and the e This core 66 is connected to a lever 67 v which is pivoted at its far end at 68 to the switch box 69 which box is a box of the conventional kind. This boX also has suitable openings for wires to pass through. This core 66 also has a pivotal connection with a` link 70 that runs to a second lever 71 that has a link 72 connecting it with the switch point rail 3 and a projection 73 which connects a holding spring 74 which is also connected to the casing 69 so that the switch point 3 is thrown beyond a dead center one way or the other and heldin place by the spring 74, in the conventional manner. The lever 67 also has a pivotally connected link 75 which is pivotw ally connected to the plunger 50 which carries the ring 51, above mentioned, so that this ring 51 will be opposite the contact 42 when the switch point rail 3 is in one position, say for the curve, and on the contact 48 when this switch point rail is in tige other position, say for the straight trac pera/fion.

In view of the foregoing, the operation of my improved switching device will be readily understood. Assuming that as a car approaches, the switch point 3 and the trolley wheel 16 get under the trolley pan 4 and off the trolley wire 2, if the motorman finds that the switch point is set in the direction in which he wishes to go, he coasts on until his trolley wheel is restored to the trolley wire and no reaction occurs in the switching mechanism because the solenoid 7 is not energized sufficiently to raise the core armature 14. It may not receive any current at posely made too weakztobe energized sufiifimagenes all, or'it may receiveeasmall:currentrlue to hghtsand heating appliances,v anfbrakeimotors, or similar devices in the car,I but thesemakenodifference as the solenoid. 7 is pur- 1f throw. the same,.he, applies power A-tovhis car and then the core armature 14 is energized andraisedvsoas to close a circuit through the Wire-,19;= When this occurs, nov current can flow through the resistance 21 because all circuits connected-.toY-thisl resistance are open,

but a current can anddoes flow through the resistance 20, wire 22, terminal 23, ring 35, contact 38, wire 39, solenoid 31, which is energized, wire 40, contact 42, ring 51 and ground wire 53 to the ground. The energizing of the solenoid 31 causes it to raise its core 33 and as soon as this occurs a circuit is established through the resistance 21, contact 28, ring 36, terminal 63, wire 64, sole-v noid 65 and wire 61 to ground, thereby energizing the core 66 and; causing the same to shift and through the intermediate mechanical connections shift the switch point rail 3 and at the same time the contact 42 is separated from the ring 51 and thereby open the circuit for solenoid 31 and immediately thereafter the circuit for solenoid 24 is closed at 48. While this is occurring, the ring 37 is in engagement with the contact 41 and connects it to the contact 62 which is grounded through the wire 55 and resistance 56 so that although the circuit is opened at 42 there is no opening of the circuit through the magnet 31l which continues to be energized so as to hold its core 33 as long as the trolley wheel 16 remains on the trolley pan 4. Once this trolley wheel gets off this trolley pan and the circuits are open, the core 33 falls and opens the circuits at 41 and 28 and closes the circuit at 25. Now assuming the circuit to be so closed and also to be closed at 48 and the switch point to be in the opposite position from that shown and another trolley wheel 16 is on the trolley pan in the position indicated so that the apparatus is again ready for use and that the switch is set against the direction in which the motorman. wishes to go, the motorman then applies power t his motors and the solenoid 7 is again energized, as above described, so that the core armature 14 is raised and the wire 19 is again energized and current will then pass through the resistance 20, wire 22 to the terminal and thence across through the ring 37 to the terminal 44 and from there through the conductor 45 to the solenoid 30 which is energized and caused to raise this core 32, and then the current passes out of the solenoid 30 through the wire 46 to the terminal 48 and thence through the ring 51 Yto aterminal. 52 and fromthence through.E

the wire 53 tothe ground. As soon as the core 32 israised, a'circuit is established bettween the terminal. 57 and terminal 29 by the ring 34 and then a current flows through the resistance 21, wire 27, terminal 29', ring 34, terminal 57, wire 58, ground solenoid 59 andwire 61 to the ground and then the core 66 is drawn into the solenoid 59 so as to shift the position of the switch point raily 3 and.

to also shift the position of the ring 51 so thatvit is inengagement with the contact 42. and not in engagement with the contact 48.. When the ring 34 is raised, as above detime so as to place the contact 47 in connection with the contact 54 which is connected scribed,the ring 35 is also raised at the same .A80

to the ground through the wire 55 and resistance 56 so that when the contact is broken at 48, as above described, a ground circuit is still maintained through the solenoid 30 and wire 46, contact 47, ring A35, contact 54, wire 55 and resistance 56 to ground, whereby the core 32 is held raised as long as the trolley wheel 16 is on the trolley pan 4. When this trolley wheel leaves this trolley pan this corey 32 falls and the apparatus resumes its initial position, as indicated in Figure 1.

In Figure 2 is shown a convenient arrangement of panel board with most of the wiring omitted so as to avoid confusing the drawings, it being understood that the wiring is identical with what is shown in Figure 1. However, in additionto the elements shown in Iigure 1 is shown a three pole switch 76 which may be thrown in the opposite position from that shown so as to'short circuit the apparatus'so that if the switching device 1 should get out of repair, the bar 5 will not be dead so that there will be no intei-ference with the operation of a car when passing under the trolley pan while the switching device is dead.

It is apparent from what has been saidV that the electrical and mechanical connections are such that if, for any reason, the switch should fail to operate and it is necessary to throw the switch point rail 3 with a crow bar, the ring 51 is correspondingly shifted so that thereafter the apparatus will be ready for use and the apparatus will function properly because this contact is synchronous with the switch point.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that it is not restricted thereto, but that it is broad enough to cover all structures that come within the scope of the annexed claim.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

In a device of the class described, a trolley wire, a switch point rail, means for operating said rail and means for connecting the trolley wire and said operating means so that the switch point rail may be always thrown from the direction for which it is set to the opposite direction hy applying lthe power to the motors of the car using this device, said device containing among other elements, a trolley pan with two bars adaptd to he bridged by a trolley wheel, a relay with a magnet connecting the trolley wire Lnd one oi said hars, a wire connecting the ther bar Qi the trolley pan with the armaure of the relay, two cross connected witches, each of which is provided with a iumher of contacts and a magnet and means connecting the magnets and contacts so that the magnet oi one switch is connected to 15 contacts of the other, ground solenoids,

either of which may be energized according to the action of said cross connected switches and a synchronizing device electrically connected to said ground solenoids and to said cross connected switches and mechanically to said switch point rail and a ground connection for said cross connected switches so that the magnet oi either may remain energized after the synchronizing device has shifted as long as the trolley wheel is on the trolley pan.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of February7 1923.

ROBERT M. ROBINSON. [L s] 

